Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 29

Chapter 29 – The Preparations for the Festival of Abundant Harvest 2

Once it was pass noon, most of the preparations seemed to be finished.

After that, he would help with carrying the food materials, drawing lots of water, supplying dried trees, and other jobs, which required him to use his feet.

There were no clouds in the sky; instead, it was fine weather, perfectly suited for hosting festivals. The sun was radiating above.

Even throughout the year, there were only several days for resting.

Most of the people gathered one by one while chatting with each other enjoyably.

While looking around to check which group he should join, he discovered the same members as usual gathering around.
Was he noticed at the same time? Mike, who was sitting on the meadow, waved his hand while calling for Eiji.

– Hey Eiji, this way.

– Naturally. Otherwise, we would be shouted by my wife[1] were we not quick with our job.

– Yes yes. That’s mega scary.

The men in the vicinity laughed while watching Mike, who was shaking with fear.
There was everyone whom Eiji knew, including the hunter – Mike, the carpenter – Fernando, the lumberjack – Philip, and the farmers – Bernard and Giorgio.

Despite Eiji being acknowledged to a certain degree, he would still feel nervous when facing people whom he usually didn’t meet.

As he came next to Mike’s side, he sat down on the woven mat, which was specially prepared for this occasion.
Other men did the same and sat together in a form, which made a circle.

– You came just at the right moment -be.

– You should join us too. Won’t you?
– Join?

Even though he felt relieved for a moment, Eiji became a little bit precautious after seeing smiles on men’s faces.
It was probably some worthless talk.

The core of the talk was about deciding who was the most beautiful woman in this village, not including one’s own wife.

It was the sort of talk which brought back memories. Since he started make his living as a blacksmith, such talks became unrelated to him.

First, it was Bernard, who expressed his view.

– I think that the wife from Fernando’s household is the prettiest.

– I a-agree.

Adelle, the wife of Fernando, was a refined and calm beauty, who didn’t look to be born in the village.

Having an unusually kind behavior, she was refined in every movement.
Even toward Eiji, she was kind at their first meeting.

What he heard was that she had been taught and passed down this behavior from a long time ago in order to become the shrine maiden of a festival day like this one.

Receiving praises for his wife, Fernando felt bashful. He then chose his candidate.

– Indeed, to think that she could get along with Philip, having such a small body.

– And you would unintentionally want to protect her. What’s more, that smiling face of hers is really admirable. I wonder if it’s the reason for my choice. Remember, it’s imprinted in her soul – ‘the small justice.’

Philip’s wife, Eve, was only around 140cm tall.

Eiji recalled the first time he had heard about them being a couple while thinking that it was a crime.
Their relationship, which was similarly passionate to that of newlyweds, would usually give off a sweet atmosphere.

– S-she’s really a type of a wife, whom I’m unworthy of…. But, besides my wife, if I were told to choose someone, it would be T-Tanya. I think she’s the most charming, and recently, she has been looking truly happy.

– A long time ago, she was considered a real beauty. I guess that alone makes her cute. Back then, Most of the unmarried men would think about making her their bride. Well, in the end, she found someone who isn’t related to this village.

Certainly, she made many different memories back then.

– I, who have watched over Tanya, also think so. Eiji, you did a great job there.

– You’re just speaking fondly of her.
– My wife wasn’t even once mentioned as the candidate. So impertinent.

As soon as Bernard and Giorgio raised their voices half seriously, Mike lifted his hands while trying to calm them down.

In the first place, this was just an entertainment before the festival.

Nevertheless, it seemed that there was an element of a prank.

Just when Eiji thought that Mike was planning to do something naughty.
– Look here!

Suddenly standing up, Mike raised his single hand and shouted loudly.

The men in the vicinity ceased talking and focused on Mike.

– It was the day of a certain night during the hot summer. One man held the ring in his hand saying ‘Tanya-san. When you strike the iron, it becomes more resistant. I want to express and make sure of my love to you. Let both of us make a passionate love, just like the iron burning crimson red’.

– The ring was inserted. ‘I love you, no matter what happens, and even If I were to remember about myself’.

– I was told by granny Bona to make sure that everything between you two goes well. Try to be in my shoes and peek during a damn hot day with insects buzzing around. What’s more, to think that you would show such a flirtatious scene.

– That’s right. No wonder Tanya looks the most charming.

Stop it!

When everyone was mocking saying ‘Eiji, Eiji’, he could do nothing but do his best and stare at them while flapping with his mouth. Nevertheless, it was useless.
The guys that were all excited in pranking Eiji didn’t seem to stop.

Should I hit him and put a stop to this? – he thought unusually, which was a rather dangerous thing to do.

―― Nonetheless, it suddenly ended.

– A-Adele?

– Jane!?

– Eve! That’s a misunderstanding.

Probably someone from girls nearby heard their loud voice and went to report.

Even though their wives were smiling, they could feel a cold chill running down their spines. On contrary, the women’s eyes didn’t seem to smile at all.

Philip, who was unsophisticated, but dependable, was now panicking and wiping his sweat. That usually enormous body looked small now.

His big physique was shrinking while his face became pale, desperately begging for forgiveness.
Fernando was panicking and losing his composure, making his usual easygoing attitude looks like a joke.

Eiji felt relieved that such a thing didn’t happen to him. He thanked his luck from the deep inside his heart.

Imagining that alone made it look scary.

Tap – together with the sound, a gentle impact runs through his back.

– Who… Tanya-san?!

– Could it be that you saw it?

– Is that so? But, please listen to me.

– Even if I’m being watched, there’s no way for anything to change. The words, which I used to confess my love and my thoughts are both genuine.

Tanya-san was hanging down her head with a red face.

However, because there were other people’s eyes gathered, there was no way for him to remain silent.

– Aaah, that’s some nice atmosphere there you’re creating.

– Right, right. On the other hand, I am going to get punished!

– Making fun of someone’s lifetime’s confession, you’re the ones to be blamed. You reap what you sow.

‘Coward’, ‘traitor’ – such the words were uttered; nevertheless, one should not take it too seriously.

Until then, Eiji should enjoy his time together with Tanya.

Behind his back, a huge scream reverberated.

——————–

– Speaking of which, Eiji-san, did you plan to choose your own candidate?

– Is that so?

– Are those your real thoughts?

In front of Tanya, who was poking her chin with her index finger, Eiji maintained his silent expression.

What he said wasn’t a lie, but neither the truth.

In order to forge an item, which suits its user the most, he had to learn about that person’s physique, the manner of use, and hear their wish.

— A tool, which was destined for that one and only person in the world.

Fernando’s wife, Adele, requested for a thin kitchen knife, which would suit her gorgeous posture. Philip’s wife, Eve, wanted a large stock pot so as to make large portions for her husband’s meals.

It was not the sort of relationship in which their mutual feelings would be conveyed just by coming into contact; however, saying that he didn’t know about those people would be false.

It wasn’t something for which he felt guilty; nonetheless, if said, it would probably hurt the others’ feelings.

– I believe you.
– Thank you.

Hearing that coming from Tanya, Eiji felt a sigh of relief while answering with a calm voice.

And even the men, who are now being punished, are probably no different. – is what he thought.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]: Ace suggested it would be better to use the word ‘wife’ instead of ‘mommy’, like in case of Mike and Jane. The reason is because couples in other English speaking countries don’t usually refer to themselves like this.

Chapter end